The story of the Rolling Stones logo

The story of the Rolling Stones logo

The Rolling Stones logo, often referred to as the "Tongue and Lips" logo, is one of the most iconic and recognizable logos in rock and roll history. It was designed in 1970 by British artist John Pasche, who was a student at the Royal College of Art in London at the time.

The Rolling Stones logo, featuring a red tongue and lips on a black background, is one of the most recognizable logos in rock and roll history. It has become an iconic symbol of the band's rebellious and hedonistic image, and has been used on countless Rolling Stones albums, merchandise, and promotional materials over the years. But how did the logo come to be? Let's dive into the story of the Rolling Stones logo.

In 1969, the Rolling Stones parted ways with their longtime manager, Andrew Loog Oldham. Oldham had been instrumental in shaping the band's image and helping them achieve success, but tensions had been mounting between him and the band for some time. The Stones were looking for a new manager to take them in a new direction, and they found one in Prince Rupert Loewenstein.

Loewenstein, a wealthy investment banker, was a major player in the world of finance. He had no experience in the music industry, but he saw the potential in the Rolling Stones and was determined to make them even bigger stars. One of the first things he did was hire a new art director, John Pasche.

Pasche was a student at the Royal College of Art in London when he was approached by Loewenstein. He had never worked with a band before, but he was excited by the opportunity to design album covers and promotional materials for the Rolling Stones. Pasche met with Mick Jagger, the lead singer of the band, to discuss the project.

Jagger had a specific idea in mind for the logo. He showed Pasche a picture of the Hindu goddess Kali, who is often depicted with her tongue sticking out. Jagger suggested that Pasche use the image as inspiration for the logo, but he wanted it to have a more personal and authentic feel.

Pasche took Jagger's suggestion and began working on a design. He drew inspiration from Jagger's own lips, which he felt would give the logo a more personal and authentic feel. Pasche experimented with various designs, but eventually settled on a simple and striking design featuring a red tongue and lips on a black background.

The logo made its debut on the inner sleeve of the Rolling Stones' 1971 album "Sticky Fingers." The album was a massive commercial success, and the logo quickly became associated with the band's rebellious and hedonistic image. It has since become one of the most iconic logos in rock and roll history.

Over the years, the Rolling Stones logo has been used on countless album covers, t-shirts, posters, and other merchandise. It has become a symbol of the band's enduring popularity and influence, and has helped to cement their place in rock and roll history.

In 2018, the original artwork for the Rolling Stones logo was auctioned off by Bonhams for £187,500. The artwork, which was created by John Pasche in 1970, was sold to an anonymous buyer.